A major player in the African oil market, Angola aims to boost its crude oil refining capacity and has initiated a program to construct new refineries. The Cabinda refinery is one of these key projects.
Delayed Launch, Increased Self-Sufficiency
Angola is set to commission its Cabinda refinery by the end of the year, one of three the country is developing to reduce its reliance on imported petroleum products.
Production Timeline and Capacity
“The plan is to begin commissioning by the end of the year. We aim to reach full production by the end of July 2025,” stated Marcelo Hofke, the facility’s director, while discussing construction progress on Thursday, July 25th.
Strategic Importance and Progress Update
Two-thirds complete, this refinery with an expected refining capacity of 60,000 barrels per day, initially slated for launch in July 2022, is, like the Lobito (200,000 bpd) and Soyo (100,000 bpd) refineries, pivotal to Luanda’s plan to refine a portion of its crude oil domestically.
Africa’s Refining Landscape
In a media statement released in late September 2023, the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) emphasized the need for strategic discussions on refining, storage, and petroleum distribution in Africa.
This is crucial in a context where the continent is expected to remain a major importer of refined products in the short to medium term due to insufficient refinery development.